Amy Zaki, Agent

407-270-8220

Renter's Insurance

You do not have to own your property for it to be considered your home in Hunters Creek. It is often your possessions that are more treasured than the house, especially when renting.

While the landlord may have home insurance covering the structure, your personal belongings are not covered unless you have a renter’s insurance policy in place.

GreatFlorida Insurance has budget friendly renter’s coverage to protect against damage or theft of your small appliances, electronics, computer and entertainment equipment, clothes, shoes, jewelry, furniture, bikes and just about anything else you own.

Renter’s insurance is not only created for your possessions but, can offer protection if someone is injured at your rental property as well as provide living expenses if your rental is damaged and you need to find temporary housing.

GreatFlorida Insurance can cover your rental property whether you live in a condominium, apartment, townhouse or home in Hunters Creek. Safeguard your personal effects with renter’s insurance today.

Protect What's Yours with Renter's Insurance

Whether you own or rent your home, the fact remains that you want to protect your belongings and your family from life's unfortunate events.

While most people have heard of homeowners insurance, many renters don't know that there are special policies just for them called renters insurance.

Why should I get a renters insurance policy?

Even though you may be living in a home that is protected by someone else's homeowners insurance policy, you want to be sure that your personal belongings and liabilities are covered.

If an accident, natural disaster or other unfortunate incident occurs, a renters insurance policy will make it easier to get back on your feet.

How do deductibles work with renters insurance?

Just like with other policies, a deductible is the amount that you agree to pay before your insurance policy begins to pay. However, it is important to note that this applies to personal property claims and not to liability claims.

How about protection against personal liability?

When someone is hurt at your home, it may be as much your liability as it is the landlord's liability.

Not having proper coverage in place can be a costly mistake. Renters insurance will give you the protection you need whether you need to cover attorneys' fees or pay for the medical bills of those injured on your property.

Protection at home and away from home.

Damages and personal liability can by incurred whether you're home or away from home. For instance, if you accidentally set something on fire because of a faulty appliance or lapse in judgment, a goodrenters insurance policy can help you recover from those damages.

On the other hand, if your home catches on fire, suffers from water damage as a result of an action of your neighbor or building management, or is broken into, a renters insurance policy will be your best asset.

In these instances your policy will cover damaged items as well as pay part of your living expenses should you be forced out of your home due to the damage.

Renters insurance covers your belongings from natural disasters.

Florida is the Sunshine State. Our tropical climate draws visitors from around the world. However, it also leaves us susceptible to severe storms, floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc.

When you rent your home, you are not responsible for damage to the structure, but guess who is responsible for your personal belongings. You are.

The destruction of your home and personal belongings can be devastating. Give yourself and your family the best chance for a second start with proper renters insurance coverage.

You'll also ensure that you'll have financial support to pay for living expenses if you are forced out of your home.

Get started by making a list and checking it twice.

How can you get started? Before calling GreatFlorida Insurance take inventory of your belongings. From furniture to appliances to electronics to clothes to shoes to clothing to jewelry, these costs can really add up.

Florida could become one of the first states to allow drivers to present a digital driver’s license stored on cellphones as proof of identification.

“It seems like an obvious transition with so much of our lives currently stored on our phones,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

An electronic driver’s license legislative bill will be introduced this spring. It is likely to be packaged with a proposal to create a database enabling police to access a driver’s auto insurance status as well.

Many benefits have driver’s excited over this proposal. Losing a driver’s license would not be so inconvenient and few would argue against having to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles for a replacement.

Also, a statewide data base would improve the chances of the police to catch uninsured drivers because the information is updated in real-time, unlike a hard copy of an insurance card or driver’s license. “This could help reduce the high percentage of uninsured motorists across the state,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance.

The electronic database however, would not replace traditional driver’s licenses, merely be supplemental. Almost all states in the U.S. currently recognizes electronic copies of auto insurance cards so a driver’s license seems the next logical progression.

According to the Sun Sentinel, 14 other state are also developing, studying and considering an electronic credentials program. They report, it could also be used for traffic stops, voting and purchasing liquor and any other reason you may need to present your driver’s license.

Security

While the advancement in technology is convenient, is it safe? Privacy advocates have expressed serious concern over the digital license. DMV.org reports, “many have openly worried that the trade-off for shiny screens and more convenience will be greater susceptibility – to police officers who are a little too curious, hackers looking to abuse the system, or anyone interested in stealing our identities, whether individually or en masse.”

Logically, a new database of information seems vulnerable to information hungry hackers. Yet, a digital driver’s license would be protected by passwords, PINs and other security features in addition to the typical security built into phones. If a plastic driver’s license is stolen or lost, you also face the same risks of someone taking your information without security protections.

However, Forbes.com reports, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail because people are overly ambitious with their goals. This statistic should not keep you from coming up with a resolution. But maybe focus on setting one that is more realistic to achieve.

So where do you start? Try evaluating a few areas of your life that you feel inspired to improve.

Health

Maybe you need to remove or add something to your diet to help you lose weight or lower your cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic reports, regular exercise can increase self-confidence, improve your sleep and reduce symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety.

Finances

Money is a sensitive subject, but we can all agree, being anchored to debt is no way to live. Establishing a realistic budget can provide peace of mind. Financial guru, Dave Ramsey says establishing a budget will also reduce stress, build for the future, provide responsibility, as well as a help you dig your way out of debt.

Time

If you feel like you do not have enough time in the day, you probably need to re-evaluate your calendar. Extracurricular activities are great, but they can become a drain on your time. Plan vacations, date nights and family time in advance and stand firm to those dates. Also, remove activities that are not in line with your greatest values.

Do not underestimate the power of the clutter you have in your life. Clutter causes stress. An overabundance of stuff can be draining. Less stuff translates into less energy spent organizing and re-organizing and more time spent on the things you enjoy. De-cluttering your home gives you more control over your life. It allows you to identify what is important and what you no longer need hanging around.

Author and Netflix star, Marie Kondo, encourages people to surround themselves with items that offer positive. She explains in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, “We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of.”

We are in the season where more people are coughing and blowing their nose. But, when is it necessary to see a doctor? What may seem like a simple cold can turn into a more complicated condition.

“While colds might not be severe, cold symptoms can take a lot out of you” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent health insurance company.

In fact, colds can wear down your immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to other health issues. Colds typically last for two weeks then go away.

So how can you tell if you have a cold or something more serious, like the flu? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the common cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. However, those suffering from the flu have more intense symptoms along with fever and chills.

“If you are not sure if you or a family member needs to see a doctor, always call your physician’s office to get advice,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance company.

Below is a list compiled from consumer health website, EverydayHealth.com, of symptoms that require medical attention.

Children

Fever above 103 F or a fever that lasts more than three days

Symptoms that last more the 10 days

Trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing

Bluish skin color

Earache or drainage from the ear

Changes in mental state, such as not waking up, irritability or seizures

Flu-like symptoms that improve, then return with a fever and a worse cough

Del Monte Foods Inc. is recalling 64, 242 cases of Fiesta Corn Seasoned with Red & Green Peppers, due to under-processing. These deviations could cause contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed.

JBS Tolleson Inc. is recalling more than 12 million pounds of beef products for possible salmonella contamination. Over 100 retailers distributed the beef, including Sam’s Club and Walmart. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) urges consumers to check their freezers for the tainted meat.

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Older adults, infants and those with a weakened immune system can develop a severe illness.

Inspired Organics, LLC has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Almond Butter and Organic Sunflower Butter due to potential contamination of listeria. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and other with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Now that we can safely consume romaine lettuce, the same farm that is suspected in the romaine lettuce outbreak, Adams Bros. Farming Inc., is recalling red and green leaf lettuce, as well as cauliflower for E. coli contamination.

It is important to note, none of the tainted produce was distributed to wholesalers in Florida.

“If you are in possession of any of the following tainted food items, return them to the store for a refund or toss them out,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s most dependable independent health insurance agency.

GreatFlorida Insurance sends a Happy Holidays greeting to all our valued agents as well as our appreciated customers across the state.

Not everyone on the road this time of year is interested in spreading holiday cheer.

A new study by smartphone app GasBuddy says, individual’s driving habits are 175 percent more aggressive during the holiday season compared to the rest of the year. According to the study, Florida ranks 6 for states with the worst holiday drivers.

Their data also revealed that aggressive driving habits occur most during the beginning of the season, with more instances happening during the drive to the holiday destination, rather than on the return trip.

“People are under a lot of stress during the holidays and tend to lose their patience while driving,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent car insurance agency.

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous year. They also report, over half of fatal crashes involved at least one driver who performed an aggressive action.

AAA recommends drivers, “Manage your behavior, manage your responses.” Do not be personally offended when you see other drivers doing something illegal or inconsiderate. Many drivers this time of year are rushed or distracted, so try and be forgiving. Also, do not respond or make contact with an aggressive driver looking for a confrontation.

Additionally, AAA reminds drivers, to remain calm and courteous while driving, it lowers your risk of a dicey encounter with another driver.

Their tips for dealing with hostility on the road:

Avoid eye contact with angry drivers.

Don’t respond to aggression with aggression.

If you feel you are at risk, drive to a public place such as a police station, hospital or fire station.

When you park, allow room so you can pull out safely if someone approaches you aggressively.

Use your horn to attract attention but remain in your locked vehicle.

If you are confronted, stay as calm and courteous as possible.

If you feel threatened, call 911.

“Florida does not require motorist to carry bodily injury coverage. So, if you are hurt by an aggressive driver who does not carry that coverage, you are responsible for the cost of your medical expenses,” reminds Buck with GreatFlorida Insurance.

Since January 2018, 385 cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection have been reported in Florida. This is more than three times the previous five-year average of 126 cases. Florida’s cases are beginning to mirror national trends.

The increase in hepatitis A cases to date is predominantly in the Tampa Bay and Orlando metropolitan areas. Unlike previous outbreaks, most of the latest cases do not involve international travel exposures.

Although infections have occurred across all demographic groups, approximately 68 percent of the recent cases are among males. The median age of cases is 37 years and the highest rates of disease are among persons 30-49 years.

The Mayo Clinic explains, “Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus in one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver’s ability to function.”

HAV is usually transmitted through person-to-person contact. The virus can also be transmitted from contaminated food, water or an object that’s infected. While mild cases do not require hospitalization, 77 percent of recent cases in Florida have required hospitalization. However, most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. Most health insurance companies cover the cost of a hepatitis A immunization. Check with your doctor, pharmacy or walk-in-clinic.

“Hepatitis A vaccines are provided free to all Florida children 18 and under,” reminds Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance agency.

The Florida Department of Health says the best way to prevent the virus is through vaccination. Additionally, practicing good hygiene- including thoroughly washing hands after the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating and preparing food can prevent the spread of hepatitis A.